Representation

Representation

Representation is how characters and places are depicted. It is usually something that has already been presented in media. Therefore characters are often represented with stereotypes so that the viewer can have initial expectations of how the character will act. There are seven areas of representation:- age, regional identity, sexuality, gender, physical ability/disability, ethnicity and class and status.

In the Silence of the Lambs, gender and age are represented in the opening sequence. We are introduced to a female character in the woods initially, which the viewer will consider vulnerable. This is due to stereotypes in thriller and horror films which normally depict a young female as the victim. However, the viewer will learn to find that rather than be a damsel in distress, she is the protagonist. The writer of the novel, Thomas Harris, and the writer of the screenplay, Ted Tally, may have considered the audience positioning and purposely changed their expectations to unnerve them and build tension.

In contrast, Adventureland shows the representation of age. It begins at a party, which is stereotypical for teenagers. This film stays true to the stereotype, and this may be because it is set in 1987 and because the audience may be unfamiliar to this time, they may have to rely on stereotypes to keep them engaged.

In night of the living dead, gender is used initially, with the voice over in the car showing a female screaming, however we find this to be just teasing from the person she is in the car with. This is representation of the common role of damsel in distress and is used to create tension.

There are also certain stereotypes in terms of characters in different genres. Horrornews.net suggests that the most stereotyped character is the loner. A person always average looking dressed differently. They are always ignored and pushed away and is often very cynical. Also, the redneck is a character that is often the one the audience cheers for. He has a thick southern accent and often has a spectacular death. The non-believer is the one who is non-religious. They are usually the first character to die if there is no black guy.

In our film, we will focus on age. Our character will be quite young to show vulnerability. Most of our dialog will occur inside the head of the protagonist and this is to show how our character is quite oblivious to the outside world and to show a disconnection between him and those around him. This will also be emphasized through his body language.